The Child Neurology Foundation advises at least annual reproductive health counseling for all patients with neurologic conditions as part of the transition process from pediatric to adult healthcare. Adolescents and young adults of childbearing potential with neurologic conditions face distinct reproductive health concerns, including: increased risks of major congenital malformations and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes among offspring due to neurologic medications, neurogenetic concerns about disease heritability, obstetric risks related to neurologic conditions, adverse drug interactions between neurologic medications and contraceptives, and catamenial and hormonal patterns of disease. Child neurologists must be prepared to routinely counsel patients and families about these issues. In this session, we will provide important information and recommendations for reproductive health counseling by child neurologists, with an emphasis on epilepsy, intellectual disability, and neuromuscular disorders.
Marie Clements, MD
Pediatric Neurology Fellow
Pediatric Neurology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Sarah Golub, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Dr. Golub is on faculty in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Seattle Children’s Hospital and serves as Program Director of the UW/SCH Adolescent Medicine Fellowship. Her primary interests and expertise are in sexual and reproductive health, including reproductive endocrinology and long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Dr. Golub is part of a National Collaborative for LARC in Adolescents and serves as local PI on a grant for this program, focused on QI and research evaluating adolescent experiences with LARCs.
Laura Kirkpatrick, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics
University of Pittsburgh / UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Laura Kirkpatrick, MD is Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She is a pediatric epileptologist and clinician investigator with research and clinical interests in reproductive health and epilepsy, as well as epilepsy transition of care. Her research work is currently funded by the Child Neurologist Career Development Program K12.
Miya Asato, MD
Pediatric Neurologist at Kennedy Krieger Institute
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Miya Asato is Vice President of Training at Kennedy Krieger Institute. She is Project Director of the Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program and Program Director for the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program. She was awarded the Arnold J. Capute MD MPH Endowed Chair in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and is committed to interprofessional training for future generations of physicians and professionals providing care for children with developmental disabilities. Her research interests are in epilepsy and neurodevelopment.
Diana Castro, MD
Board Certified Neurologist and Neuromuscular Physician
Founder and Director Neurology and Neuromuscular Care Center
Founder and Director Neurology Rare Disease Center
Dr. Castro, a board-certified neurologist, and neuromuscular physician is a pioneer in the research and management of patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Myasthenia Gravis, and Acquired Neuropathies, like Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). Since completing training in pediatric neuromuscular medicine, Dr. Castro has conducted multiple clinical research trials in SMA, DMD, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), among other conditions.
Being an intricate part of developing innovative therapies for rare neuromuscular conditions is one of her biggest passions, along with her strong bonds with all her patients and their families. This unique relationship with her patients drives her to continue searching for therapeutic options for them.
In addition to managing a busy patient load and conducting research, Dr. Castro has had many peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has given multiple national and international lectures in English and Spanish. She also sits on several national medical advisory boards and steering committees.
After more than ten years, Dr. Castro left academia to create a non-profit private practice and research institute for neuromuscular conditions. The research institute opened in November 2022, and the non-profit neuromuscular practice in January 2023. We are currently enrolling some research studies and have several protocols in the pipeline. We offer care to all neuromuscular patients, regardless of their insurance situation.
Amy Cutler, MOT
Patient and Family Perspectives
Alison Kukla, MPH
Patient and Family Perspectives